Incorrect please try again Enter the words above:Enter the numbers you hear: <input type="text" id="recaptcha_response_field" name="recaptcha_response_field">/></input> Get another CAPTCHA Get an audio CAPTCHA Get an image CAPTCHA Help

Toyota Sedan With ‘World’s Best’ Fuel Cell Stack To Bow In Tokyo This Year

Jeff CobbAugust 31, 2013

Tweet

Email

Print

Go Back

Print this page

Photo Gallery

Sorry there are no photos! Hide

As Toyota prepares its 2015 launch of a production fuel cell sedan powered by a “world’s best” fuel cell stack, the company has said it will reveal a close-up view of the car this November in Japan.

“At the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, we unveiled the FCVR fuel cell concept [pictured],” said Toyota Managing Officer Satoshi Ogiso this week at a Toyota media event in Michigan. “This year at the Tokyo Motor show, we will get a bit more specific, when we unveil a well-defined mid-size four-door sedan concept.”

The fuel cell car is intended as part of a long-term strategy Toyota envisions that will include also hybridized versions of all its vehicles and battery electric cars as battery technology advances to the point that the automaker deems it viable for its mass-market purposes.

After the November Tokyo reveal, in January 2014 Toyota’s sedan will make its North American debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, said Ogiso.

At that time, Ogiso said, Toyota’s Bob Carter, senior vice president, Automotive Operations, will provide further details on the role of Toyota’s U.S.-based engineering team in the FCV’s development as well as some preliminary plans for introduction into the U.S. market.

“For now, I can tell you that the hydrogen fuel cell stack is currently developing 3kw per liter of power density” said Ogiso. “We believe that’s a ‘world’s best’ and about twice that of the fuel stack we have been using for the Highlander fuel cell hybrid vehicle.”

Toyota has had this running Highlander fuel-cell conversion for a while to demonstrate capabilities. The production sedan’s fuel cell stack will boast double the power density.

Speaking of which, we also had opportunity to drive the Highlander fuel cell vehicle this week. On a closed road-handling course, it had enough power to mildly spin the tires accelerating out of corners when desired.

It drives normally, and quietly as one would expect from an electric vehicle.

Fuel cell vehicles have a significant “chicken and egg” problem to overcome in coming years between lack of infrastructure and high costs.

Their advantage is zero emissions from their electric drivetrains and quick fill-ups via a hydrogen pump making them as convenient in this latter aspect as a petroleum burning car.

Toyota anticipates a gradual ramp up from mid-decade onward, and conservatively projects tens of thousands of units being sold in the U.S. by the early 2020s.

Incorrect please try again Enter the words above:Enter the numbers you hear: <input type="text" id="recaptcha_response_field" name="recaptcha_response_field">/></input> Get another CAPTCHA Get an audio CAPTCHA Get an image CAPTCHA Help

Detroit Electric To Begin SP:01 Production Q4 In The Netherlands

Jeff CobbAugust 30, 2013

Tweet

Email

Print

Go Back

Print this page

Photo Gallery

Sorry there are no photos! Hide

The revived U.S. company operating under the name of the former Detroit Electric is being further delayed in plans to produce its SP:01 in the U.S., but meanwhile will begin European production fourth quarter this year in Holland.

In June we reported the company had pushed back an August start date to September for production in Wayne County, Mich.

Now it says it will begin the limited production run of 999 units at the company’s existing plant in the EV-friendly Netherlands.

The company is still seeking to meet U.S. federal safety standards so it can eventually produce the Lotus-based cars in Michigan as well.

Detroit Electric is an iconic name of an American electric car company that went out of business in 1939 and was “rebooted” in 2008 by UK-based former Lotus Engineering Group boss Albert Lam.

Lam said the idea is indeed to start the American company and is determined to see original goals met.

“We are Detroit electric, not London Electric,” said Lam.

Automotive News

Posted in News

Tagged as

Related Readings

French EV Maker mia Sees Blue Stars

Europe is being offered a special Blue Star version of mia’s urban utility vehicle. French electric vehicle

2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Review – Video

When Toyota announced its redesigned 2013 Avalon flagship last year, among the most significant revelations was it

DaimlerChrysler Warms Up to Hybrids

In January 2004, Thomas Weber, DaimlerChrysler’s board member responsible for research and technology, gave a

Maxima's wide range of available technology includes a Bose® premium audio system with nine speakers and Nissan Hard Drive Navigation system with NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic information and NavWeather (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and Voice Recognition.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

Incorrect please try again Enter the words above:Enter the numbers you hear: <input type="text" id="recaptcha_response_field" name="recaptcha_response_field">/></input> Get another CAPTCHA Get an audio CAPTCHA Get an image CAPTCHA Help

Will GM Build A Hybrid Corvette?

Photo Gallery

This week the LA Times reported GM President Mark Reuss stopped by its offices and positively responded to the idea of one day building a hybrid version of the Chevrolet Corvette.

His receptiveness shows GM is on its toes as it looks ahead to looming efficiency regulations, and despite the fact the new C7 Stingray is still a fresh release.

“Actually, don’t laugh,” Reuss said smiling in response to the query from the Times.

“I think it’s a very attractive idea, actually,” Reuss said. “I think it would be really fun to do, I think it would build capability inside our company and I think people would love it.”

The Corvette in present form is vying as a cost-effective alternative to much higher priced sports cars. It also is a top dog among other sports cars, and after 60 years of production, has icon status.

While it’s not considered in the same league as the new Ferrari La Ferrari or Porsche 918 Spyder or McLaren P1, all these cutting edge cars are hybrids, and they’re setting the tone as elites that the Corvette closely shadows for a fraction of their stratospheric price tags.

Like practically everything else in a world where many people want significant increases with each new generation, the next ‘Vette would surely exceed the present output of its 6.2-liter V8 that delivers 455 horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque.

The current vehicle employs cylinder deactivation to let it run as an effective 3.1 liter V4 at times when it is just cruising, and has seen upwards of 30 mpg on the highway in real world observations.

To increase the power and decrease the fuel usage, an electric motor and battery added to the engine could fill the bill.

Corvette fans largely consider it heresy to go with less than GM’s pushrod V8, so like other high-performance hybrids, this one would not want to sacrifice the core recipe. It would be about saving fuel to a point, but the ultimate goal of going faster would not be compromised.